Operating a voice response system in a multiuser environment

ABSTRACT

Methods, systems and computer program products for operating a voice response system in a multiuser environment are provided. Aspects include receiving a voice command from a first user and determining an identity of the first user based at least in part on a voice recognition of the first user. Aspects also include determining an identity of one or more other users in range of the voice response system and obtaining a command hierarchy. Aspects further include performing an action requested by the voice command based on a determination that the first user is authorized to request the voice command, wherein the determination that the first user is authorized to request the voice command is based at least upon the identity of the first user, the identity of one or more other users in range of the voice response system and the command hierarchy.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates generally to operating a voice response systemand, more specifically, to operating a voice response system in amultiuser environment.

Voice response systems are becoming ubiquitous and are currently used tocontrol a wide variety of devices, such as televisions, personalassistants, home network devices, thermostats, entertainment systems,and the like. Voice response systems monitor the audio for a voicecommand and responsively perform an action indicated by the voicecommand. However, in a multi-user scenario, multiple people can speakout various voice commands at a time, which can cause the voice responsesystem to miss commands and can cause users to waste time requesting toreverse previously taken actions.

In one example, family members are watching a voice operated televisionand a child speaks a command requesting a change of the channel but thefather does not want the channel changed. In this case, the televisionwill change the channel and the father must then request that thetelevision return to the previous channel.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment, a system for operating a voice responsesystem in a multiuser environment is provided. The system includes amemory having computer readable computer instructions, and a processorfor executing the computer readable instructions. The computer readableinstructions include instructions for receiving a voice command from afirst user and determining an identity of the first user based at leastin part on a voice recognition of the first user. The computer readableinstructions also include instructions for determining an identity ofone or more other users in range of the voice response system andobtaining a command hierarchy. The computer readable instructionsfurther include instructions for performing an action requested by thevoice command based on a determination that the first user is authorizedto request the voice command, wherein the determination that the firstuser is authorized to request the voice command is based at least uponthe identity of the first user, the identity of one or more other usersin range of the voice response system and the command hierarchy.

According to another embodiment, a method for operating a voice responsesystem in a multiuser environment is provided. The method includesreceiving a voice command from a first user and determining an identityof the first user based at least in part on a voice recognition of thefirst user. The method also includes determining an identity of one ormore other users in range of the voice response system and obtaining acommand hierarchy. The method further includes performing an actionrequested by the voice command based on a determination that the firstuser is authorized to request the voice command, wherein thedetermination that the first user is authorized to request the voicecommand is based at least upon the identity of the first user, theidentity of one or more other users in range of the voice responsesystem and the command hierarchy.

According to a further embodiment, a computer program product isprovided. The computer program product includes a computer readablestorage medium having program instructions embodied therewith. Thecomputer readable storage medium is not a transitory signal per se. Theprogram instructions are executable by a computer processor to cause thecomputer processor to perform a method. The method includes receiving avoice command from a first user and determining an identity of the firstuser based at least in part on a voice recognition of the first user.The method also includes determining an identity of one or more otherusers in range of the voice response system and obtaining a commandhierarchy. The method further includes performing an action requested bythe voice command based on a determination that the first user isauthorized to request the voice command, wherein the determination thatthe first user is authorized to request the voice command is based atleast upon the identity of the first user, the identity of one or moreother users in range of the voice response system and the commandhierarchy.

Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniquesof the invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the invention aredescribed in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimedinvention. For a better understanding of the invention with theadvantages and the features, refer to the description and to thedrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularlypointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion ofthe specification. The forgoing and other features, and advantages ofthe invention are apparent from the following detailed description takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a cloud computing environment according to one or moreembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts abstraction model layers according to one or moreembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary computer system capable of implementing oneor more embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 depicts a system upon which operating a voice response system ina multiuser environment may be implemented according to one or moreembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5 depicts a flow diagram of a method for operating a voice responsesystem in a multiuser environment according to one or more embodimentsof the present invention; and

FIG. 6 depicts a flow diagram of another method for operating a voiceresponse system in a multiuser environment according to one or moreembodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the invention are described herein with referenceto the related drawings. Alternative embodiments of the invention can bedevised without departing from the scope of this invention. Variousconnections and positional relationships (e.g., over, below, adjacent,etc.) are set forth between elements in the following description and inthe drawings. These connections and/or positional relationships, unlessspecified otherwise, can be direct or indirect, and the presentinvention is not intended to be limiting in this respect. Accordingly, acoupling of entities can refer to either a direct or an indirectcoupling, and a positional relationship between entities can be a director indirect positional relationship. Moreover, the various tasks andprocess steps described herein can be incorporated into a morecomprehensive procedure or process having additional steps orfunctionality not described in detail herein.

The following definitions and abbreviations are to be used for theinterpretation of the claims and the specification. As used herein, theterms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,”“having,” “contains” or “containing,” or any other variation thereof,are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, acomposition, a mixture, process, method, article, or apparatus thatcomprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only thoseelements but can include other elements not expressly listed or inherentto such composition, mixture, process, method, article, or apparatus.

Additionally, the term “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as anexample, instance or illustration.” Any embodiment or design describedherein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other embodiments or designs. The terms “at least one”and “one or more” may be understood to include any integer numbergreater than or equal to one, i.e. one, two, three, four, etc. The terms“a plurality” may be understood to include any integer number greaterthan or equal to two, i.e. two, three, four, five, etc. The term“connection” may include both an indirect “connection” and a direct“connection.”

The terms “about,” “substantially,” “approximately,” and variationsthereof, are intended to include the degree of error associated withmeasurement of the particular quantity based upon the equipmentavailable at the time of filing the application. For example, “about”can include a range of ±8% or 5%, or 2% of a given value.

For the sake of brevity, conventional techniques related to making andusing aspects of the invention may or may not be described in detailherein. In particular, various aspects of computing systems and specificcomputer programs to implement the various technical features describedherein are well known. Accordingly, in the interest of brevity, manyconventional implementation details are only mentioned briefly herein orare omitted entirely without providing the well-known system and/orprocess details.

It is to be understood that although this disclosure includes a detaileddescription on cloud computing, implementation of the teachings recitedherein are not limited to a cloud computing environment. Rather,embodiments of the present invention are capable of being implemented inconjunction with any other type of computing environment now known orlater developed.

Cloud computing is a model of service delivery for enabling convenient,on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computingresources (e.g., networks, network bandwidth, servers, processing,memory, storage, applications, virtual machines, and services) that canbe rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort orinteraction with a provider of the service. This cloud model may includeat least five characteristics, at least three service models, and atleast four deployment models.

Characteristics are as follows:

On-demand self-service: a cloud consumer can unilaterally provisioncomputing capabilities, such as server time and network storage, asneeded automatically without requiring human interaction with theservice's provider.

Broad network access: capabilities are available over a network andaccessed through standard mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneousthin or thick client platforms (e.g., mobile phones, laptops, and PDAs).

Resource pooling: the provider's computing resources are pooled to servemultiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with different physicaland virtual resources dynamically assigned and reassigned according todemand. There is a sense of location independence in that the consumergenerally has no control or knowledge over the exact location of theprovided resources but may be able to specify location at a higher levelof abstraction (e.g., country, state, or datacenter).

Rapid elasticity: capabilities can be rapidly and elasticallyprovisioned, in some cases automatically, to quickly scale out andrapidly released to quickly scale in. To the consumer, the capabilitiesavailable for provisioning often appear to be unlimited and can bepurchased in any quantity at any time.

Measured service: cloud systems automatically control and optimizeresource use by leveraging a metering capability at some level ofabstraction appropriate to the type of service (e.g., storage,processing, bandwidth, and active user accounts). Resource usage can bemonitored, controlled, and reported, providing transparency for both theprovider and consumer of the utilized service.

Service Models are as follows:

Software as a Service (SaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto use the provider's applications running on a cloud infrastructure.The applications are accessible from various client devices through athin client interface such as a web browser (e.g., web-based e-mail).The consumer does not manage or control the underlying cloudinfrastructure including network, servers, operating systems, storage,or even individual application capabilities, with the possible exceptionof limited user-specific application configuration settings.

Platform as a Service (PaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto deploy onto the cloud infrastructure consumer-created or acquiredapplications created using programming languages and tools supported bythe provider. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure including networks, servers, operating systems, orstorage, but has control over the deployed applications and possiblyapplication hosting environment configurations.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): the capability provided to theconsumer is to provision processing, storage, networks, and otherfundamental computing resources where the consumer is able to deploy andrun arbitrary software, which can include operating systems andapplications. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure but has control over operating systems; storage,deployed applications, and possibly limited control of select networkingcomponents (e.g., host firewalls).

Deployment Models are as follows:

Private cloud: the cloud infrastructure is operated solely for anorganization. It may be managed by the organization or a third party andmay exist, on-premises or off-premises.

Community cloud: the cloud infrastructure is shared by severalorganizations and supports a specific community that has shared concerns(e.g., mission, security requirements, policy, and complianceconsiderations). It may be managed by the organizations or a third partyand may exist, on-premises or off-premises.

Public cloud: the cloud infrastructure is made available to the generalpublic or a large industry group and is owned by an organization sellingcloud services.

Hybrid cloud: the cloud infrastructure is a composition of two or moreclouds (private, community, or public) that remain unique entities butare bound together by standardized or proprietary technology thatenables data and application portability (e.g., cloud bursting forload-balancing between clouds).

A cloud computing environment is service oriented with a focus onstatelessness, low coupling, modularity, and semantic interoperability.At the heart of cloud computing is an infrastructure that includes anetwork of interconnected nodes.

Referring now to FIG. 1, illustrative cloud computing environment 50 isdepicted. As shown, cloud computing environment 50 includes one or morecloud computing nodes 10 with which local computing devices used bycloud consumers, such as, for example, personal digital assistant (PDA)or cellular telephone 54A, desktop computer 54B, laptop computer 54C,and/or automobile computer system 54N may communicate. Nodes 10 maycommunicate with one another. They may be grouped (not shown) physicallyor virtually, in one or more networks, such as Private, Community,Public, or Hybrid clouds as described hereinabove, or a combinationthereof. This allows cloud computing environment 50 to offerinfrastructure, platforms and/or software as services for which a cloudconsumer does not need to maintain resources on a local computingdevice. It is understood that the types of computing devices 54A-N shownin FIG. 1 are intended to be illustrative only and that computing nodes10 and cloud computing environment 50 can communicate with any type ofcomputerized device over any type of network and/or network addressableconnection (e.g., using a web browser).

Referring now to FIG. 2, a set of functional abstraction layers providedby cloud computing environment 50 (FIG. 1) is shown. It should beunderstood in advance that the components, layers, and functions shownin FIG. 2 are intended to be illustrative only and embodiments of theinvention are not limited thereto. As depicted, the following layers andcorresponding functions are provided:

Hardware and software layer 60 includes hardware and softwarecomponents. Examples of hardware components include: mainframes 61; RISC(Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture based servers 62;servers 63; blade servers 64; storage devices 65; and networks andnetworking components 66. In some embodiments, software componentsinclude network application server software 67 and database software 68.

Virtualization layer 70 provides an abstraction layer from which thefollowing examples of virtual entities may be provided: virtual servers71; virtual storage 72; virtual networks 73, including virtual privatenetworks; virtual applications and operating systems 74; and virtualclients 75.

In one example, management layer 80 may provide the functions describedbelow. Resource provisioning 81 provides dynamic procurement ofcomputing resources and other resources that are utilized to performtasks within the cloud computing environment. Metering and Pricing 82provide cost tracking as resources are utilized within the cloudcomputing environment, and billing or invoicing for consumption of theseresources. In one example, these resources may include applicationsoftware licenses. Security provides identity verification for cloudconsumers and tasks, as well as protection for data and other resources.User portal 83 provides access to the cloud computing environment forconsumers and system administrators. Service level management 84provides cloud computing resource allocation and management such thatrequired service levels are met. Service Level Agreement (SLA) planningand fulfillment 85 provides pre-arrangement for, and procurement of,cloud computing resources for which a future requirement is anticipatedin accordance with an SLA.

Workloads layer 90 provides examples of functionality for which thecloud computing environment may be utilized. Examples of workloads andfunctions which may be provided from this layer include: mapping andnavigation 91; software development and lifecycle management 92; virtualclassroom education delivery 93; data analytics processing 94;transaction processing 95; and operating a voice response system in amultiuser environment 96.

Turning now to a more detailed description of aspects of the presentinvention, FIG. 3 illustrates a high-level block diagram showing anexample of a computer-based system 300 useful for implementing one ormore embodiments of the invention. Although one exemplary computersystem 300 is shown, computer system 300 includes a communication path326, which connects computer system 300 to additional systems and mayinclude one or more wide area networks (WANs) and/or local area networks(LANs) such as the internet, intranet(s), and/or wireless communicationnetwork(s). Computer system 300 and additional systems are incommunication via communication path 326, (e.g., to communicate databetween them).

Computer system 300 includes one or more processors, such as processor302. Processor 302 is connected to a communication infrastructure 304(e.g., a communications bus, cross-over bar, or network). Computersystem 300 can include a display interface 306 that forwards graphics,text, and other data from communication infrastructure 304 (or from aframe buffer not shown) for display on a display unit 308. Computersystem 300 also includes a main memory 310, preferably random accessmemory (RAM), and may also include a secondary memory 312. Secondarymemory 312 may include, for example, a hard disk drive 314 and/or aremovable storage drive 316, representing, for example, a floppy diskdrive, a magnetic tape drive, or an optical disk drive. Removablestorage drive 316 reads from and/or writes to a removable storage unit318 in a manner well known to those having ordinary skill in the art.Removable storage unit 318 represents, for example, a floppy disk, acompact disc, a magnetic tape, or an optical disk, etc. which is read byand written to by a removable storage drive 316. As will be appreciated,removable storage unit 318 includes a computer readable medium havingstored therein computer software and/or data.

In some alternative embodiments of the invention, secondary memory 312may include other similar means for allowing computer programs or otherinstructions to be loaded into the computer system. Such means mayinclude, for example, a removable storage unit 320 and an interface 322.Examples of such means may include a program package and packageinterface (such as that found in video game devices), a removable memorychip (such as an EPROM or PROM) and associated socket, and otherremovable storage units 320 and interfaces 322 which allow software anddata to be transferred from the removable storage unit 320 to computersystem 300.

Computer system 300 may also include a communications interface 324.Communications interface 324 allows software and data to be transferredbetween the computer system and external devices. Examples ofcommunications interface 324 may include a modem, a network interface(such as an Ethernet card), a communications port, or a PCM-CIA slot andcard, etc. Software and data transferred via communications interface324 are in the form of signals which may be, for example, electronic,electromagnetic, optical, or other signals capable of being received bycommunications interface 324. These signals are provided tocommunications interface 324 via communication path (i.e., channel) 326.Communication path 326 carries signals and may be implemented using wireor cable, fiber optics, a phone line, a cellular phone link, an RF link,and/or other communications channels.

In the present disclosure, the terms “computer program medium,”“computer usable medium,” and “computer readable medium” are used togenerally refer to media such as main memory 310 and secondary memory312, removable storage drive 316, and a hard disk installed in hard diskdrive 314. Computer programs (also called computer control logic) arestored in main memory 310, and/or secondary memory 312. Computerprograms may also be received via communications interface 324. Suchcomputer programs, when run, enable the computer system to perform thefeatures of the present disclosure as discussed herein. In particular,the computer programs, when run, enable processor 302 to perform thefeatures of the computer system. Accordingly, such computer programsrepresent controllers of the computer system.

In exemplary embodiments, a system for operating a voice response systemin a multiuser environment is provided. In exemplary embodiments, avoice response system is configured to identify the voice of a user thatprovides a voice command and to determine whether the voice responsesystem is authorized to perform the requested action based on theidentity of the user that made the request, the identity of other nearbyusers and a command hierarchy. The command hierarchy can be created by aprimary user of the voice response system or it can be generated by thevoice response system using machine learning techniques. The voiceresponse system will use the command hierarchy to determine which voicecommands will be executed when multiple diverse voice commends aresubmitted by different users at the same point of time.

Turning now to FIG. 4, a system 400 upon which operating a voiceresponse system in a multiuser environment may be implemented will nowbe described in accordance with an embodiment. The system 400 shown inFIG. 4 includes a server 410 in communication with a user device 420 viaa communications network 415. The communications network 415 may be oneor more of, or a combination of, public (e.g., Internet), private (e.g.,local area network, wide area network, virtual private network), and mayinclude wireless and wireline transmission systems (e.g., satellite,cellular network, terrestrial networks, etc.). The user device 420 isconfigured to receive voice commands from one or more users 402 in rangeof the user device 420.

In exemplary embodiments, the user device 420 can be a smartphone, atablet, a computer system such as the one shown in FIG. 3, a smartspeaker, a television, or any other suitable electronic device. The userdevice 420 includes a microphone 421 and a media player 422 capable ofplaying a media item. Optionally, the user device 420 can also include alocal database 423, a user interface 424, a user identification engine425, and a camera 426. The microphone 421 is used to detect voicecommands for the user device 420 and the media player 422 is usedresponsively play a media items in response to the voice commands. Themedia item may be audio and/or video content. In exemplary embodiments,the local database 423 is configured to store voice samples and/orimages of authorized users of the user device 420. The useridentification engine 425 can include a voice recognition engine that isconfigured to compare received voice commands to stored voice samples inthe local database 423. Likewise, the user identification engine 425 caninclude a facial recognition engine that is configured to compareimages, which are captured by the camera 426, of users to stored imagesin the local database 423. The user interface 424 can be a graphicaluser interface such as a touchscreen, a keyboard, or the like that canbe used to create a command hierarchy. In exemplary embodiments, thecommand hierarchy can be stored in the local database 423.

In various embodiments, the voice samples and/or images of authorizedusers of the user device 420 can be stored in the local database 423and/or the server database 412. Likewise, the identification of a usercan be performed by the user identification engine 425 of the userdevice 420 or by the user identification engine 411 of the server 410.The server 410 can be implemented as a computer system such as the oneshown in FIG. 3 or as a cloud based system such as the one shown inFIGS. 1 & 2. In embodiments where the server 410 is configured toperform user identification and to store audio files and images of theauthorized users, the user device 420 is configured to capture audiofiles and/or images of the users and to transmit them to the server 410.

In exemplary embodiments, machine learning can be used to create thecommand hierarchy based on biometric and visual recognition based healthcondition of the users. For example, if one user is visibly sick andother user wants to increase the volume of the TV program, then sickperson's voice command can be given priority. The command hierarchyamong the users can also be based on the time of the day, or day of theweek, that the command was received. Furthermore, the command hierarchyamong the users can also be based on the current level of interest ofthe users for the media item being played.

Turning now to FIG. 5, a flow diagram of a method 500 for operating avoice response system in a multiuser environment in accordance with anembodiment is shown. The method 500 begins at block 502 and receives avoice command from a user at block 504. Next, as shown at block 506, theuser is identified. The user can be identified based on an analysis ofan image or captured voice of the user. Next, as shown at decision block508, the method 500 includes determining if other users are present. Ifno other users are present, the method 500 proceeds to block 510 andperforms the requested action. Otherwise, the method 500 proceeds toblock 512 and identifies the other users present. The other users can beidentified based on an analysis of images or captured voices of theother users.

Continuing with reference to FIG. 5, the method 500 includes obtaining acommand hierarchy, as shown at block 514. Based on the command hierarchyand the identity of the users present, the method 500 may proceed toeither decision block 516 or 518. For example, the command hierarchy maygenerally indicate that various actions cannot be performed at therequest of a first user when a second user is present but it may allowthat those actions to be performed when the second user is present butis not paying attention to the voice command system. At decision block516, the method 500 determines if the other users present are payingattention to the voice command system. If the other users are determinedto be paying attention to the voice command system, the method 500proceeds to decision block 518 and determines if the requested action isauthorized. If the requested action is authorized, the method performsthe requested action, as shown at block 510. Otherwise, the method 500ends as shown at block 522. If, as shown at decision block 516, theother users are determined to not be paying attention, the method 500proceeds to block 520 and performs a second action in addition toperforming the requested action at block 510.

For example, if a father is watching a football game and a child asksthe voice controlled television to change the channel, the commandhierarchy for the voice controlled television generally provides thatthe child is not authorized to request this action when the father ispresent. However, if the father is not paying attention to the commandvoice controlled television, the child may be authorized to change thechannel but the voice controlled television will be instructed to beginrecording the football game and will be able to resume the game at thepoint at which the channel was changed upon the request of the father.

In exemplary embodiments, the command hierarchy can be created usingmachine learning by analyzing various voice command from a multiuserscenario and tracking how the commands are overridden by another user.The machine learning system will gather the usage data for an extendedtime period to understand whose command to follow and whose commands areignored. For example, if a voice command is submitted by a user, thenthe voice response system will identify who has submitted the voicecommand based on voice recognition, and if the meantime, another voicecommand is submitted by another user on the same topic but oppositecontextual sense, the voice response system will identify the priorityuser and accordingly priority user's voice command will be executed.

In exemplary embodiments, if the voice response system identifies anyambiguity in the received commands, the voice response system willinitiate a poll from each of the users present in the surrounding andthe majority of the command will be executed. In another embodiment,upon receiving a voice command from a first user to perform a task whena second user is present, where the second user has a higher priority,the voice response system will ask the second user for authorization toperform the requested action.

Turning now to FIG. 6, a flow diagram of a method 600 for operating avoice response system in a multiuser environment in accordance with anembodiment is shown. As shown at block 602, the method 600 includesreceiving, by the voice response system, a voice command from a firstuser. Next, as shown at block 604, the method 600 includes determiningan identity of the first user based at least in part on a voicerecognition of the first user. In exemplary embodiments, the voiceresponse system may include a user voice database that includes a voicesample from each authorized user of the voice response system that isused to identify a user that provided the voice command.

Next, as shown at block 606, the method 600 includes determining anidentity of one or more other users in range of the voice responsesystem. In exemplary embodiments, the voice response system candetermine the identity of one or more other users in range of the voiceresponse system by capturing voice samples of the one or more otherusers or by capturing images of the environment of the voice responsesystem. The voice response system then analyses the captured voicesamples and/or images to determine if another known individual is inrange of the voice response system. The method 600 also includesobtaining, by the voice response system, a command hierarchy, as shownat block 608. The command hierarchy is a priority ranking for each of aplurality of individual authorized to control the voice response system.For example, the command hierarchy may specify a primary user thatauthorized to request any action regardless of what other users are inthe room and a secondary user that is authorized to request any actionunless a primary user is present. In exemplary embodiments, the commandhierarchy further includes a listing of actions that each user isauthorized to request based on a presence of the one or more other usersin range of the voice response system.

The method 600 also includes performing, by the voice response system,an action requested by the voice command based on a determination thatthe first user is authorized to request the voice command, as shown atblock 610. The determination that the first user is authorized torequest the voice command is based at least upon the identity of thefirst user, the identity of one or more other users in range of thevoice response system and the command hierarchy.

In one example, if a user requests an action and they are the only userpresent, the voice response system will execute the action unless thecommand hierarchy indicates that the user is not authorized to performthat action. For instance, a child may be alone and watching a voiceactivated television and may request that the television change thechannel to a specific channel. The television would then obtain thecommand hierarchy and determine if the child is permitted to watch therequested channel at the time of the request. The command hierarchy canindicate that the child is permitted to watch a predefined list oftelevision channels only during a specific time period, i.e., ageappropriate content between noon and 8:00 pm. Accordingly, if the timeit outside of the allowed time period and/or the requested channel isnot on the predefined list of television channels, the television willnot perform the requested action.

In another example, if a first user requests an action and they are notthe only user present, the voice response system will determine theidentity of the other users present and execute the action unless thecommand hierarchy indicates that the user is not authorized to performthat action. For instance, a child may be watching television with theirparents in the room may request that the television change the channelto a specific channel. The television would then obtain the commandhierarchy and determine if the child is permitted to request the changeof channel with the parents present in the room. If the child is notpermitted to request the change of channel with the parents in the room,the television will not perform the requested action.

In exemplary embodiments, the method can also include determining anattention level of the one or more other users in range of the voiceresponse system and the determination that the first user is authorizedto request the voice command is further based upon the attention levelof one or more other users in range of the voice response system. Theattention level of the one or more other users is determined based onanalysis of video of the one or more other users captured by the voiceresponse system. In one example, if a child is watching television withtheir parents in the room but the parents are talking to each other andnot watching the television, the child may be authorized to change thechannel. In such a case, the television can be configured to perform asecond action that was not specifically requested by the child inaddition to changing the channel. For example, the television may startrecording the channel that is being switched off, such that the parentscould go back and watch that channel at a later time.

In one embodiment, the voice response system can be configured toidentify a type of user based on the clothing that the user is wearing,i.e., an emergency service person (EMT/police/firefighter). In thisembodiment, the emergency service person can be given priority over anyordinary citizen, even the primary user of the device.

Technical benefits include an improved functionality of voice responsesystems that are able to distinguish between the voices of users andthat recognize which commands to execute and which to ignore. Byignoring commands from unauthorized users, the user experience ofauthorized users is improved as the authorized user no longer has toissue commands to reverse actions taken by unauthorized users.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product. The computer program product may include a computerreadable storage medium (or media) having computer readable programinstructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of thepresent invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The computerreadable program instructions may execute entirely on the user'scomputer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone softwarepackage, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computeror entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario,the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through anytype of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide areanetwork (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer(for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example,programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), orprogrammable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readableprogram instructions by utilizing state information of the computerreadable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry,in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present inventionhave been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intendedto be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the describedembodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain theprinciples of the embodiments, the practical application or technicalimprovement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for operating a voice response system ina multiuser environment, comprising: receiving, by the voice responsesystem, a voice command from a first user; determining an identity ofthe first user based at least in part on a voice recognition of thefirst user; determining an identity of one or more other users in rangeof the voice response system; obtaining, by the voice response system, acommand hierarchy; performing, by the voice response system, an actionrequested by the voice command based on a determination that the firstuser is authorized to request the voice command, wherein thedetermination that the first user is authorized to request the voicecommand is based at least upon the identity of the first user, theidentity of one or more other users in range of the voice responsesystem and the command hierarchy.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: determining an attention level of the one or more otherusers in range of the voice response system; and wherein thedetermination that the first user is authorized to request the voicecommand is further based upon the attention level of one or more otherusers in range of the voice response system.
 3. The method of claim 2,wherein the attention level of the one or more other users is determinedbased on analysis of video of the one or more other users captured bythe voice response system.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:performing, by the voice response system, a second action based thevoice command, the identity of the first user, the command hierarchy,and the identity of one or more other users in range of the voiceresponse system.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: asking,by the voice response system, a second user selected from the one ormore other users in range of the voice response system for authorizationto perform the action requested by the voice command based on adetermination that the second user has a higher priority ranking in thecommand hierarchy than the first user.
 6. The method of claim 1, whereinthe command hierarchy includes a priority ranking for each of aplurality of individual authorized to control the voice response system.7. The method of claim 6, wherein the command hierarchy further includesa listing of actions that each of the plurality of individual areauthorized to request based on a presence of the one or more other usersin range of the voice response system.
 8. A system for operating a voiceresponse system in a multiuser environment, comprising: a memory havingcomputer readable instructions; and a processor for executing thecomputer readable instructions, the computer readable instructionsincluding instructions for: receiving a voice command from a first user;determining an identity of the first user based at least in part on avoice recognition of the first user; determining an identity of one ormore other users in range of the voice response system; obtaining, bythe voice response system, a command hierarchy; performing an actionrequested by the voice command based on a determination that the firstuser is authorized to request the voice command, wherein thedetermination that the first user is authorized to request the voicecommand is based at least upon the identity of the first user, theidentity of one or more other users in range of the voice responsesystem and the command hierarchy.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein thecomputer readable instructions further include instructions for:determining an attention level of the one or more other users in rangeof the voice response system; and wherein the determination that thefirst user is authorized to request the voice command is further basedupon the attention level of one or more other users in range of thevoice response system.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the attentionlevel of the one or more other users is determined based on analysis ofvideo of the one or more other users captured by the voice responsesystem.
 11. The system of claim 8, wherein the computer readableinstructions further include instructions for: performing, by the voiceresponse system, a second action based the voice command, the identityof the first user, the command hierarchy, and the identity of one ormore other users in range of the voice response system.
 12. The systemof claim 8, wherein the computer readable instructions further includeinstructions for: asking, by the voice response system, a second userselected from the one or more other users in range of the voice responsesystem for authorization to perform the action requested by the voicecommand based on a determination that the second user has a higherpriority ranking in the command hierarchy than the first user.
 13. Thesystem of claim 8, wherein the command hierarchy includes a priorityranking for each of a plurality of individual authorized to control thevoice response system.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the commandhierarchy further includes a listing of actions that each of theplurality of individual are authorized to request based on a presence ofthe one or more other users in range of the voice response system.
 15. Acomputer program product comprising a computer readable storage mediumhaving program instructions embodied therewith the program instructionsexecutable by a computer processor to cause the computer processor toperform a method, comprising: receiving, by the voice response system, avoice command from a first user; determining an identity of the firstuser based at least in part on a voice recognition of the first user;determining an identity of one or more other users in range of the voiceresponse system; obtaining, by the voice response system, a commandhierarchy; performing, by the voice response system, an action requestedby the voice command based on a determination that the first user isauthorized to request the voice command, wherein the determination thatthe first user is authorized to request the voice command is based atleast upon the identity of the first user, the identity of one or moreother users in range of the voice response system and the commandhierarchy.
 16. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein themethod further comprises: determining an attention level of the one ormore other users in range of the voice response system; and wherein thedetermination that the first user is authorized to request the voicecommand is further based upon the attention level of one or more otherusers in range of the voice response system.
 17. The computer programproduct of claim 16, wherein the attention level of the one or moreother users is determined based on analysis of video of the one or moreother users captured by the voice response system.
 18. The computerprogram product of claim 15, wherein the method further comprises:performing, by the voice response system, a second action based thevoice command, the identity of the first user, the command hierarchy,and the identity of one or more other users in range of the voiceresponse system.
 19. The computer program product of claim 15, whereinthe method further comprises: asking, by the voice response system, asecond user selected from the one or more other users in range of thevoice response system for authorization to perform the action requestedby the voice command based on a determination that the second user has ahigher priority ranking in the command hierarchy than the first user.20. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the commandhierarchy includes a priority ranking for each of a plurality ofindividual authorized to control the voice response system.